{"id":75258,"date":"2026-09-20T13:24:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T18:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=75258"},"modified":"2026-09-20T13:25:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T18:25:01","slug":"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-estimated-reading-time yoast-reading-time__wrapper\"><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"clock\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.1em\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M12 8v4l3 3m6-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__spacer\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:1em\"><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__descriptive-text\">Estimated reading time: <\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__reading-time\">16<\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__time-unit\"> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Colt brought the Cobra back as a soft-shooting six-shot .38 Special, then followed it with the harder-hitting .357 Magnum King Cobra. We revisit the original Cobra review and break down which stainless Snake Gun makes the most sense in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Editors&#8217;s Note: <em>This article began as our full review of the newly reintroduced Colt Cobra in 2017. We updated it for 2026 with cleaner formatting, additional historical context, a comparison with the King Cobra that Colt introduced in 2019, and a head-to-head look at which revolver better fits different shooters. The author\u2019s original Cobra testing, observations and specifications remain intact.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#colt-cobra\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Colt Cobra: The .38 Special Snake That Restarted It All<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#cobra-history\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Before the 2026 Showdown: A Little Cobra History<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#king-cobra\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Colt King Cobra: The .357 Magnum Answer Arrived in 2019<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#cobra-vs-king-cobra-specs\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra Specs: .38 Special Meets .357 Magnum<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#unboxing\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Unboxing the Colt Cobra: The Trigger Gets Your Attention<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#questions\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Why .38 Special? Colt Answers the Big Cobra Questions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#range\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Colt Cobra Range Test: Soft Recoil, Serious Trigger<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#which-to-buy\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra in 2026: Which Should You Buy?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#bottom-line\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" data-level=\"2\">The Verdict: The Cobra Still Bites, but the King Hits Harder<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-1-of-3-2.jpg\" alt=\"Colt Cobra .38 Special stainless snub-nose revolver from the original 2017 GunsAmerica review\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The .38 Special <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/colts-government-model-45\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">Colt<\/a> Cobra delivers a new take on a classic snub-nosed revolver.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all have a story to tell about or involving a Colt revolver. I\u2019m no exception; in fact, the very first handgun I purchased with my own money was a Colt Lawman. That .357 Magnum, 4-inch barreled gun served as my introduction into shooting IPSC in the late 1970s. My dad has a story of his own, which he is quick to tell. In the mid-1960s, he purchased a Colt Trooper from Massey Hardware in downtown Conway, Arkansas. He bought it for his father, who was stationed in the Philippines while serving in the Veterans Administration. Feeling that his dad needed something for personal protection, he gave him the Colt Trooper, which served him until he passed away a few years ago. My father got that iconic revolver back in the estate, and it has naturally become a family heirloom. Why are stories like these, involving Colt revolvers, so prevalent? I believe these guns spawned legacies because they were more than just the parts that went into them; they represented unparalleled American craftsmanship in an era when national pride was still a shining virtue.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-2-of-3.jpg\" alt=\"Stainless steel Colt Cobra .38 Special revolver showing its durable satin-finished frame\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The stainless steel finish of the Colt Cobra ensures durability and ruggedness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"colt-cobra\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colt Cobra: The .38 Special Snake That Restarted It All<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get ready for a new generation of stories, because Colt is bringing back the Cobra. Its all-steel frame is satin finished, with a grip that\u2019s been moved rearward to help manage recoil. The new Cobra sports a <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/hogue-grips\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">Hogue OverMolded grip<\/a>. The only chambering offered on the gun reviewed here is .38 Special +P. Another modification has been made, this one to trigger geometry. It appears that the trigger pin is more centrally located, and the trigger itself is straighter. The cylinder release is still old-school original; it is pulled rearward to unlock the cylinder. The front red fiber-optic sight is an insert that can be changed, as it is set into a recess in the barrel shroud and then secured by an Allen screw through the front. The rear is a groove milled into the topstrap of the frame. The cylinder revolves clockwise, like a Colt should. Of course, this revolver has a rampant Colt on its barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-5-of-22.jpg\" alt=\"Open cylinder of the six-shot Colt Cobra loaded for .38 Special ammunition\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Colt Cobra holds six rounds of .38 Special ammunition, despite its compact dimensions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking back from 2026, we know this revolver was more important than it seemed at the time. The Cobra marked Colt\u2019s 2017 return to the double-action revolver market. Two years later, Colt would take the same modern Snake Gun idea and give shooters the .357 Magnum King Cobra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"cobra-history\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Before the 2026 Showdown: A Little Cobra History<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first model of Cobra was made from 1950 to 1971 with a 2-inch barrel. The second version was produced from 1972 to 1981 and can be identified by its shrouded ejector rod. The Cobra was a version of the Colt Detective Special, and both were made on Colt\u2019s \u201cD\u201d frame. The Cobra\u2019s frame was constructed of aluminum alloy rather than the all-steel construction of the Detective Special.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-8-of-22.jpg\" alt=\"Colt Cobra full underlug barrel and generous ejector rod on the compact 2-inch revolver\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The revolver features a generous ejector rod despite its short barrel as well as a full underlug.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You could get the Cobra in .38 Special, .32 Colt New Police, .22 LR, and a few were produced in .38 S&amp;W. You could choose between 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-inch barrels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Cobra was made infamous when Jack Ruby used a Colt Cobra .38 to kill Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963. That Cobra was purchased for $220,000 at an auction in 1991. Lee Marvin carried two Colt Cobras while playing Detective-Lieutenant Frank Ballinger of the Chicago Police Department on the TV series <em>M Squad<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-2-of-22.jpg\" alt=\"2017 Colt Cobra stainless revolver representing Colt's return to double-action wheelguns\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of Colt revolvers have been clamoring for a new model for years, and the Colt Cobra addresses that desire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"king-cobra\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colt King Cobra: The .357 Magnum Answer Arrived in 2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original review ended with a prediction: \u201cI predict we will see lots of variations soon from Colt.\u201d That prediction aged rather well. In January 2019, Colt announced the all-new King Cobra, a six-shot stainless revolver chambered in .357 Magnum. It followed directly behind the successful return of the .38 Special Cobra and answered the obvious question from shooters who wanted the same modern Colt concept with more horsepower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The launch King Cobra used a heavy-duty stainless frame, a full-lug 3-inch barrel, Hogue rubber grips, a user-replaceable front sight, and Colt\u2019s Linear Leaf spring trigger system. It weighed 28 ounces and carried six rounds. The original suggested retail price was $899. Just as important, its .357 Magnum chambering also gave shooters the option of firing .38 Special ammunition when they wanted less recoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That last point is where the King Cobra starts making a very persuasive argument. The Cobra was deliberately built around .38 Special +P and manageable recoil. The King Cobra adds three ounces, another inch of barrel, and .357 Magnum capability. That makes it a little less of a true snubby and a little more of a belt gun, but it also gives the shooter more flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-256313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image.png 900w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image-400x225.png 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shooting the .357 Mag Colt King Cobra. Photo credit\/Max Slowik. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GunsAmerica got trigger time with the King Cobra at <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/colt-king-cobra-shot-show-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">SHOT Show 2019<\/a> and found the revolver pleasant to shoot even with .357 Magnum ammunition. At 28 ounces, it landed in an interesting middle ground: light enough to carry without feeling like an anchor, but substantial enough that full-house magnum loads did not turn every range session into an exercise in punishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That does not mean the King Cobra automatically wins. If the original Cobra appealed to you because it was a compact six-shot .38 with soft recoil, a great trigger, and sights you could actually use, none of those virtues disappeared when its bigger brother showed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"cobra-vs-king-cobra-specs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra Specs: .38 Special Meets .357 Magnum<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Specification<\/th><th>Colt Cobra Reviewed Here<\/th><th>2019 Colt King Cobra Launch Model<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><th>Chambering<\/th><td>.38 Special +P<\/td><td>.357 Magnum<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Barrel<\/th><td>2 inches<\/td><td>3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>OA Length<\/th><td>7.2 inches<\/td><td>7.25 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Weight<\/th><td>25 ounces<\/td><td>28 ounces<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Grips<\/th><td>Hogue OverMolded<\/td><td>Hogue OverMolded rubber<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Sights<\/th><td>Red fiber optic front<\/td><td>Replaceable brass-bead front<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Action<\/th><td>Double-action<\/td><td>Single\/double-action<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Finish<\/th><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Brushed stainless steel<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Capacity<\/th><td>Six<\/td><td>Six<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Original MSRP<\/th><td>$699<\/td><td>$899<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The quick read:<\/strong> The Cobra is the lighter, shorter, softer-shooting choice. The launch-model King Cobra adds .357 Magnum capability, roughly another inch of barrel, and three ounces of weight. Both give you six rounds and Colt\u2019s modern take on the traditional double-action revolver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colt Cobra Specifications: The Original 2017 Test Gun<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Chambering:<\/strong> .38 Special +P<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Barrel:<\/strong> 2 inches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>OA Length:<\/strong> 7.2 inches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weight:<\/strong> 25 ounces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grips:<\/strong> Hogue OverMolded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sights:<\/strong> Red fiber optic front<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Action:<\/strong> Double-action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Finish:<\/strong> Stainless steel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Capacity:<\/strong> Six<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MSRP:<\/strong> $699<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"unboxing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Unboxing the Colt Cobra: The Trigger Gets Your Attention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The little <a href=\"https:\/\/www.colt.com\/product-category\/commercial\/revolvers\/cobra-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">Colt Cobra<\/a> arrived in an innocuous brown cardboard box. It was quite a pleasant surprise to open the cardboard box up and see the familiar blue plastic Colt box inside, securing the new Colt Cobra revolver. It was clearly the gun I remembered seeing at the 2017 SHOT Show. You can see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/classic-reborn-colts-cobra-38-special-snubbie-shot-show-2017\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">SHOT Show 2017 Colt Cobra coverage here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While manipulating the trigger on the gun, I was impressed by just how nice the trigger felt. The Hogue OverMolded grips were nicely adorned with the Colt emblem embossed on each side of them. As I looked the gun over, I realized that Colt must have come to believe that its customers are actually adults, as the gun had no key lock, nor were there endless admonishments to read the instruction manual, and avoid running with scissors, inscribed on the gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Upon inspection of the insides of the Cobra, it became apparent that this was a complete redesign. Colt, much like many other gun companies, has gone with MIM parts. When they were making revolvers 40 years ago, labor was cheap and technology was expensive. In 2017 the costs were totally reversed, and hand-fitting would make the new Cobra a $2,000.00+ gun instead of a $699.00 gun.<\/p>\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/colt-king-cobra\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-weight:700;line-height:1;border-radius:9999px;background:#eef4ff;color:#1849a9;border:1px solid #d8e0f0;padding:10px 16px\">\n  \ud83d\uded2 Check Current Price for Colt King Cobra on GunsAmerica\n<\/a>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why .38 Special? Colt Answers the Big Cobra Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the moment I found out that the Colt Cobra would be reintroduced and that there would be updates and changes made, I had a few questions running around in my head. After I received the gun and had a chance to shoot it for a while, the people at Colt were gracious enough to let me rapid-fire some questions about the new Colt Cobra at them. I\u2019ve done my best to summarize my questions and their answers verbatim below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q.<\/strong> Where is the new Colt Cobra produced? Is it produced by Colt 100%, or has Colt partnered with anyone else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A.<\/strong> <em>We are building all Cobras right here in our factory in West Hartford, Connecticut.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-6-of-22.jpg\" alt=\"Colt Cobra internal transfer bar safety system with the cylinder open\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Cobra features a transfer bar safety that ensures the revolver will only fire when the trigger is pulled.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q.<\/strong> Why go with a .38 Special over .357 Magnum?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A.<\/strong> <em>For a return to the double-action (DA) revolver market, a market we have a long and storied history in, .38 Special makes a lot of sense. A big part of the DA revolver market is small frame, and that market is full of high-powered, lightweight models. Many times, small-frame revolvers are suggested for new shooters because they\u2019re easy to handle and dependable. But what we\u2019re seeing today is that when a new shooter goes to a gun shop and selects a small-frame revolver that\u2019s lightweight and chambered in .357, they might buy a box of ammo and take it to the range once and lose their taste for it after just a few rounds. The .357 Magnum cartridge in a compact, lightweight package can be punishing. So, they pack up their new purchase, along with the rest of the ammo, and park it in their safe. When that same customer takes a Colt Cobra to the range, with its steel frame and revised grip structure, they\u2019ll have a much more pleasurable shooting experience, and they\u2019ll be inclined to shoot more often, and more importantly, feel confident enough to carry it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That answer becomes even more interesting now that we have the King Cobra to compare against it. Colt did eventually give customers the .357 Magnum they were asking for, but it did so in a slightly larger, heavier package. In other words, the Cobra\u2019s .38 Special chambering was not simply a missing feature. It was part of the gun\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q.<\/strong> The new Colt Cobra is heavier than its namesake, as the original was made with an aluminum frame rather than steel. What is the reason for this, in this day of superlight guns?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A.<\/strong> <em>As you know, the original Cobra shares its heritage with the Colt Detective Special, and the new Cobra draws upon the same lineage. The design work began where the last generation of Detective Special, the SF-VI, left off. We worked hard to ensure that if the market wants more Colt DA revolvers, the Cobra design would be flexible enough, and robust enough, to handle future model variations that customers may want.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q.<\/strong> The original Cobra had numerous options\/variations; will we see these or similar guns coming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A.<\/strong> <em>The Cobra was designed to be a family name. If we see the type of success with this model that we hope to see, it will be an easy transition for us to expand on the theme and develop additional models that will appeal to other customers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six years of hindsight make that answer almost comical in the best possible way. The King Cobra followed in 2019, and Colt\u2019s modern Snake Gun family continued to grow from there.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-9-of-22.jpg\" alt=\"Colt Cobra ejector rod extended from the six-shot stainless cylinder\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The relatively generous length of the ejector rod helps facilitate the ejection of spent cartridge cases.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-19-of-22-e1497987436661.jpg\" alt=\"Colt Cobra .38 Special accuracy target fired with Sig Sauer Elite Performance ammunition\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Cobra shot well with both loads tested, including this Sig Sauer Elite Performance load.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"range\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colt Cobra Range Test: Soft Recoil, Serious Trigger<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To prepare for my trip to the range, I pulled down that box of holsters that all gun guys tend to have and undertook my best effort to find something that the Colt would fit. I was able to find a DeSantis belt holster and a speed loader without much effort that seemed to be made for the Cobra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As I began rummaging through my stockpile of ammunition, I realized that I had sufficient quantities to really do more than just accuracy testing with the Black Hills 125-grain .38 Special +P. Once I was equipped with all the necessary gear, I strapped on the Colt, loaded up my speed loaders and speed strips, and headed to the range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first six rounds through the gun were impressive. The double-action pull seemed to roll predictably. The Cobra was easy to control, with very soft recoil. The trigger on this sample was perfect; I checked the pull on my Wheeler Digital Trigger Gauge, and the single-action breaks at just over 2 pounds, while the double-action is a consistent 7 pounds. This trigger is worthy of the name Colt, and honestly, it is every bit as good as that of the last Python I shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I ran the gun both strong hand and weak hand. The pace slowed, but not nearly to the degree that some revolvers I have run required to score accurate hits. I did some 12-round drills that required a reload, which was easy enough, with no difficulty with the controls. However, it showed my lack of skill with revolver reloads using speed loaders or strips. Clearly, I am a fan of moon clips!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Shooting-Results-2.png\" alt=\"Colt Cobra .38 Special shooting results and accuracy data from the original range test\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accuracy was impressive. Once I learned where the sights needed to be pointed to deliver the shot where I wanted it to be, it was dead on. I found that rather than splitting the dot, I needed to cover it; otherwise, I tended to land a little low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I made a mistake when taking ammunition to the range and only had two brands to test with the Cobra. They both produced very nice groups double action with a two-handed grip at 10 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-3-of-22.jpg\" alt=\"Author handling the stainless Colt Cobra after range testing the compact .38 Special revolver\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The author was impressed by the design, operation and performance of the new Colt Cobra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"which-to-buy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra in 2026: Which Should You Buy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is where the comparison finally gets simple. The Cobra and King Cobra share plenty of family DNA, but they reward different priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want the smaller package, the softer recoil, and a revolver built specifically around .38 Special +P, the Cobra still makes a tremendous amount of sense. The original test gun weighed 25 ounces, carried six rounds, had an excellent trigger, and was downright pleasant to shoot. There is a lot to be said for a defensive revolver that encourages you to practice instead of making you dread the next cylinder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want .357 Magnum capability, the King Cobra is the obvious move. The 2019 launch model stretched the barrel to 3 inches and brought unloaded weight to 28 ounces. That additional mass and barrel length come with a carry penalty, but not a huge one, and the gun can also digest .38 Special ammunition when you want to turn the volume down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Choose the Colt Cobra if:<\/strong> concealability, manageable recoil, .38 Special +P, and frequent comfortable practice matter more to you than magnum capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Choose the Colt King Cobra if:<\/strong> you want one compact Colt revolver that can run .357 Magnum or .38 Special, and you do not mind carrying a few extra ounces and another inch of barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For newer revolver shooters:<\/strong> I still like the logic Colt gave us back in 2017. A revolver you can control, practice with, and shoot confidently has a lot going for it. The Cobra\u2019s steel frame and .38 Special chambering make that argument very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For experienced shooters who want more versatility:<\/strong> the King Cobra\u2019s ability to move between mild .38 Special ammunition and full-power .357 Magnum loads is hard to ignore. It is simply the broader tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Colt Cobra Pros:<\/strong> Compact 2-inch barrel, six-shot capacity, excellent tested trigger, soft recoil, .38 Special +P chambering, useful fiber-optic front sight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Colt Cobra Cons:<\/strong> No .357 Magnum capability, less ballistic versatility than the King Cobra.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>King Cobra Pros:<\/strong> .357 Magnum and .38 Special flexibility, six-shot capacity, 3-inch launch configuration, 28-ounce weight that helps tame recoil, modern Colt trigger system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>King Cobra Cons:<\/strong> Larger and heavier than the Cobra, and full-power .357 Magnum still produces substantially more recoil than .38 Special.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"bottom-line\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Verdict: The Cobra Still Bites, but the King Hits Harder<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This gun is a winner. The trigger is excellent right out of the box and the sights work, not something that is true of many snub-nosed revolvers. No need to change the grips, but you could if you wanted, and the same can be said of the front sight. I can recommend this gun without reservation, something I can\u2019t say about all compact revolvers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back in 2017, I predicted we would see lots of variations soon from Colt, and I was excited for where Colt was finally going. The King Cobra\u2019s 2019 arrival proved that prediction right. It did not replace the Cobra so much as complete the argument Colt had started two years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So which one wins in 2026? If I wanted a compact six-shot .38 that is pleasant to practice with and easy to control, I would have no problem sticking with the Cobra. If I wanted the broadest ammunition flexibility and .357 Magnum performance in a still-compact Colt, I would step up to the King Cobra. The King wears the crown for raw versatility. The original Cobra remains the sweeter shooter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/classic-reborn-colts-cobra-38-special-snubbie-shot-show-2017\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">Classic Reborn: Colt Cobra .38 Special at SHOT Show 2017<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/colt-king-cobra-shot-show-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">First Shots With the .357 Magnum Colt King Cobra<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/colts-snub-nose-python-review-2-5-inch-classic\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\" title=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\">Colt Python Review: 2.5-Inch Snub-Nose Classic<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colt brought the Cobra back as a soft-shooting six-shot .38 Special, then followed it with the harder-hitting .357 Magnum King Cobra. We revisit the original Cobra review and break down which stainless Snake Gun makes the most sense in 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":75262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"manual","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,694,859,324,42],"tags":[601,159,4684,4685,127,329,102,611,640],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":["post-75258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-gunsamerica-authors","category-gun-reviews","category-gun-reviews-handguns","category-jon-hodoway","category-revolvers","tag-357-magnum","tag-38-special","tag-colt-cobra","tag-colt-king-cobra","tag-concealed-carry","tag-edc","tag-feature-articles","tag-revolvers","tag-self-defense"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.5 (Yoast SEO v28.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: 2026 Buyer\u2019s Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: compare recoil, power, size, specs, and carry roles to see which stainless Colt revolver fits you in 2026.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Colt Cobra vs. King Cobra: Which One Wins in 2026?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Colt brought the Cobra back as a soft-shooting six-shot .38 Special, then followed it with the harder-hitting .357 Magnum King Cobra. We revisit the original Cobra review and break down which stainless Snake Gun makes the most sense in 2026.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/ready-strike-new-38-special-colt-cobra-full-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\/Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-20T18:24:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-20T18:25:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Colt-Cobra-2-of-22.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jon Hodoway\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" 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